The Bermuda Friendly Societies Association held its Cup Match Sportsmanship Award dinner on Thursday night.

Central personality at the event was Kyle Hodsoll. The St George’s bowler was presented with the Society’s beautifully engraved Clarence O Darrell Memorial Cup, BFSA Shield, Emanciaption Cup and Personal Cup.

Mr Darrell set a pace for businessmen and other persons of means in supporting the Cup Match. A smile cracked Kyle’s face as he was presented other gifts for his achievements, and he was roundly congratulated by Michael Bradshaw, president of the BFSA, who wished him well for making his family and country proud. Dr Bradshaw emphasised that we hold high the legacy that our forefathers left us and will do our share in preserving this part of history.

• Patrick-Wharton Family Reunion

This setting at the Bermuda College cafeteria took on the characteristics of a little United Nations gathering when the Patrick-Wharton family reunion was celebrated.

Kin, including husbands, wives and children, who arrived from Accra, Ghana, Montreal, Canada and New Orleans and North Carolina, USA, joined their Bermuda cousins Icen Patrick, his sister Elsie and Patrick and Dayton Wharton.

Most prominently engaged among the visiting cousins were David Patrick, the former international basketball player and current coach of Louisiana State University, and Rev Joanne Browne.

Bermuda’s iconic guitarist Dayton Wharton provided impeccable musical renditions throughout the event and was accompanied by his Ghanaian cousin on vocals. A stimulating evening culminated in a powerful skit outlining the family’s humble beginnings and how patriarch and businessman, Rev J J Patrick impacted Bermuda.

• Brilliant Bermudian excels

David Chapman, was bestowed a Doctor of Philosophy by Royal Holloway University in London on July 15. The title of Dr Chapman’s thesis was, ‘The role of renewable energy towards sustainable development for Small Island States’.

A graduate of the Berkeley Institute, Dr Chapman obtained a bachelor of science degree in marine and environmental science from Hampton University, where he also received the WH Freeman Scholarship Award as an “outstanding science student undertaking a postgraduate degree”.

He also received the Hampton University Diver of the Year award. He later enrolled at the University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica where he completed two years of field research in marine ecology, focusing on mangrove forest ecology and the effect of pollution.

Dr Chapman earned a master’s of science in environmental analysis and assessment from Royal Holloway University. Dr Chapman is the author of ‘Daddy and I Explore’, an environmental series co-sponsored by HSBC Bank of Bermuda. The series seeks to encourage early literacy, promote environmental appreciation and highlight the importance of healthy families.

Ten days after the graduation ceremony, on July 25, 2015, Dr Chapman married Basira Buraimoh-Igbo, the daughter of Mr and Mrs Yomi Braimoh-Igbo. The wedding was held at Club Langley in Beckenham, UK. Friends and family from Bermuda and Africa attended the wedding celebration, including his parents, Earlston Chapman and LaVerne Furbert.

Also in attendance from Bermuda was his aunt, Maxine Esdaille and Marc Bean, who served as best man.

Childhood friend Eugene Dean was a groomsman. Dr Chapman’s wife’s father is Nigerian (Yoruba) and her mother hails from Jamaica.

Dr Chapman, who taught at Thomas Knivett College in Surrey, UK, will teach science at Lambeth Academy in Clapham. Before leaving Bermuda to continue his studies he taught at the Berkeley Institute.